BERYCID^. 421 



several species, with other genera now extinct : Pscudohcryx, 

 with abdominal ventrals, from Mount Lebanon ; Bcrycopsis, 

 with cycloid scales ; Homonotus, Stenostoma, S]3henoceplialiis, 

 Acanus, Hoplopteryx, Platycorims, with granular scales ; 

 Podocys, with a dorsal fin extending to the neck ; Acrogastcr, 

 Macrolepis, and Rhacolepis, from the chalk of Brazil. Sjoecies 

 of Holoccntrurii and Myripristis occur in the Monte Bolca 

 formation. 



MoNOCEXTRis. — Snout obtuse, convex, short ; eye of moderate 

 size. Villiform teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the 

 vomer. Opercular bones without armature. Scales very large, 

 bony, forming a rigid carapace. Ventrals reduced to a single 

 strong spine and a few rudimentary rays. 



Fig. 183. — Monoceiitris jai^ouicus. 



One species only is known {M. japonic us) from the seas off 

 Japan and Mauritius. It does not attain to any size, and is 

 not common. 



HoPLOSTETHUs. — Suout Very short and obtuse; eye large. 

 Villiform teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the vomer. 

 Operculum unarmed, a strong spine at the scapulary and the 

 angle of the praeoperculum. Scales ctenoid, of moderate size ; 

 abdominal edge serrated. One dorsal, with six spines ; ventrals 

 with six soft rays ; caudal deeply forked. 



One species only is known {H. mcditerrancus), which 



